Healing
Hearts
K9
Training
About Us: Healing Hearts K9 Training
At Healing Hearts K9 Training, we believe every dog deserves a second chance to thrive. Our mission is to transform shelter dogs into life-changing service companions while addressing behavioral challenges and providing foundational training.
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We focus on matching a dog in need with a person in need, creating a perfect bond. Through expert training, compassionate care, and dedication, we prepare dogs for new roles—whether as service partners, emotional support animals, or loving family pets.
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Healing Hearts K9 Training is about saving lives, inspiring hope, and healing hearts—one paw at a time.
From Shelter
to Service:
THE PROCESS
Our shelter-to-service program is dedicated to transforming rescued dogs into highly skilled service animals, meticulously trained to meet the unique needs of their future handlers.
These incredible dogs are prepared to provide life-changing support, fostering independence, confidence, and companionship for those they serve. Here’s a closer look at how we achieve this remarkable transformation:
ASSESSMENT & RESCUE
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Rescue: We identify and rescue dogs from shelters, focusing on temperament, intelligence, and trainability.
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Initial Assessment: Each dog undergoes a comprehensive evaluation, including:
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Temperament testing for adaptability and social behavior.
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Health checkups by a licensed veterinarian to ensure suitability for training.
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REHAB & CARE
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Behavioral Support: For dogs with past trauma or behavioral issues, we implement individualized rehabilitation plans to build confidence and trust.
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Medical Treatment: We address any health concerns, ensuring the dog is physically ready for service training.
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Socialization: Gradual exposure to diverse environments, people, and other animals to ensure adaptability.
FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING​
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Basic Commands: Sit, stay, come, leave it, and leash manners.
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Household Skills: Crate training, potty training, and acclimation to daily home routines.
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Behavioral Correction: Addressing undesirable behaviors like barking, chewing, or fear responses.
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Leash Training and behavior, leading to proficient off-leash training.
ADVANCED TRAINING
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Task-Specific Skills: Based on the needs of the future handler, dogs are trained to perform tasks such as:
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Retrieving items.
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Opening doors or drawers.
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Providing mobility assistance.
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Recognizing and responding to medical conditions (e.g., alerting for diabetes, seizures).
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Public Access Training: Dogs learn to navigate public spaces, including stores, public transit, and crowded areas, with focus and discipline.
HANDLER MATCH & INTEGRATE
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Personalized Matching: We carefully pair each dog with a handler whose needs align with the dog’s skills and temperament.
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Handler Training: The new handler undergoes extensive training to work effectively with their service dog, including task handling and public access protocols.
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Transition Period: A gradual handover ensures the dog and handler bond and adapt to their new partnership.
ON_GOING SUPPORT
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Follow-Up Training: Regular check-ins and additional training sessions as needed to refine skills.
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Community Resources: Access to support groups, refresher courses, and guidance for both handlers and their dogs.
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Lifetime Commitment: We remain available to address any challenges or changes in the handler’s needs.
KEEP
IN TOUCH
Myrtle Beach, USA
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Email:healingheartk9@gmail.com
Tel: 757-291-2614
VISIT THE US
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday - Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday
OPENING HOURS
CONTACT US
Comprehensive Training Approach
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At Healing Hearts K9 Training, we believe that every dog deserves the chance to thrive in a loving home, regardless of their past. Our mission is to transform shelter dogs into life-changing service animals while addressing behavioral challenges and providing foundational training that builds trust, confidence, and a strong bond with their future owners.
Our approach is built on compassion, patience, and a commitment to both the dog and the handler. We specialize in rehabilitating dogs from high-kill shelters and preparing them for a variety of roles, from dedicated service companions to well-behaved family pets.
Healing Hearts K9 Training focuses on a holistic, step-by-step approach to dog training, emphasizing behavioral correction, foundational obedience, and advanced service skills. Every dog is treated as an individual, with tailored training plans designed to meet their specific needs.
Behavioral Correction
A major focus of our program is addressing and correcting common undesirable behaviors, such as:
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Excessive Barking: Teaching dogs to respond calmly and appropriately to triggers, reducing unnecessary noise and promoting peaceful interactions.
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Destructive Chewing: Redirecting the dog’s attention from harmful behaviors to appropriate outlets, helping to safeguard your belongings and create a more comfortable living environment.
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Jumping: Training dogs to greet people politely and calmly, ensuring both human and canine are comfortable in social situations.
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Fear-Based Responses: Using desensitization and positive reinforcement techniques to reduce anxiety and build a dog’s confidence, helping them feel secure in various environments.
We believe in using positive reinforcement methods to encourage calm, confident behavior. By rewarding desirable actions, we empower dogs to make better choices and build positive habits that last a lifetime.
Foundational Obedience
We focus on teaching dogs essential commands such as sit, stay, come, heel, and leave it, as well as good leash manners. These basics create a strong communication system between the dog and their handler, laying the groundwork for more advanced training and smooth daily interactions.
Advanced Service Dog Training
Once a dog has mastered basic obedience and behavioral correction, we move to task-specific training for service dogs. Depending on the dog’s strengths and the needs of their future handler, we teach skills such as:
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Mobility Assistance: Helping with balance and stability for individuals with mobility challenges.
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Medical Alerts: Teaching dogs to detect and respond to conditions like seizures or low blood sugar.
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Retrieve and Assist: Training dogs to pick up items, open doors, or provide other types of physical support.
Dogs in our program undergo rigorous public access training to ensure they behave well in all environments, from crowded public spaces to quiet homes. They learn how to remain calm, focused, and attentive in various settings, ensuring they are ready for any situation.
Matching Dogs & Handlers
Our process is unique in that we focus not only on preparing the dog but also on finding the perfect match between dog and handler. We believe the bond between a service dog and their owner is critical for success, so we carefully assess both the dog’s abilities and the handler’s needs to make sure they are a good fit.
Once the right match is made, we provide comprehensive handler training to ensure both the dog and their owner are fully equipped to navigate their new relationship. Our goal is to create a seamless transition, where both the dog and handler work together as a cohesive team, fostering independence, trust, and mutual respect.